70025 - Cultural Anthropology.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the students will: a) know the main theoretical and methodological approaches in cultural anthropology; b) know the evolution of concepts such as culture, ethnicity, ethnocentrism, racism; c) how to use theoretical perspectives in the analysis of social processes such as migration, exclusion and social suffering.

Course contents

The course will take place at the Cesena Campus of the Psychology Department from 16 February to 22 May 2026.

The first part of the course will focus on defining and exploring the historical development of anthropological studies. We will explore the evolution of key concepts such as culture, race and ethnicity, and the main theoretical paradigms underpinning the discipline. We will also examine the relationships between cultural anthropology and other social sciences, as well as methodological issues. The distinctive features of anthropological thinking, the evolution of ethnographic research and the key concepts of cultural and social anthropology will be introduced.

The second part of the course will examine the following themes through the use of empirical examples:

• Fieldwork and ethical issues.

• The anthropological approach to the study of disability.

• Ethnopsychiatry and social suffering.

• Transnational mobility and multicultural societies.

• Migrants’ educational and parenting practices from a gender perspective.

Readings/Bibliography

For both attending and non-attending students, mandatory readings are the following:

1) Dei F. (2016). Antropologia culturale. Seconda Edizione, Bologna, Il Mulino (eccetto: Parte Prima, cap. VII "Folklore, cultura popolare, cultura di massa"; Parte seconda, cap. VIII "Verso un'etnografia del consumo culturale", cap. X "Tempo, memoria, storia", cap. XIII "Spazio, luogo, città")

2) One of the following alternatives:

a) An anthology of ethnographic articles that will be made available by the end of the course in the Virtuale Platform.

b) Robert F. Murphy (2017). Il silenzio del corpo. Antropologia della disabilità, Trento, Erickson [1987, The body silent. The different world of the disabled, New York and London, Norton].

c) Biffi D. (2025). Auto-etnografia dell'accoglienza. Lavorare nei servizi per richiedenti asilo e rifugiati, Bergamo, Edizioni Junior.

d) Bourgois P., Schonberg J. (2011). Reietti e fuorilegge. Antropologia della violenza nella metropoli americana, Roma, DeriveApprodi [2009, Righteous dopefiend, Berkeley, University of California Press].

e) Bourgois P. (2005). Cercando rispetto : drug economy e cultura di strada, Roma : DeriveApprodi [1995, In Search of Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio, Cambridge University Press]

f) Gallotti C., Tarabusi F. a cura di (2024). Antropologia e servizi: intersezioni etnografiche fra ricerca e applicazione, Milano, Ledizioni

PowerPoint presentations will be available on the Virtuale Platform. The slides are designed to provide students with additional support during their studies and attendance at classes. It should be noted that the slides do not replace the mandatory readings.

Alternative books/readings in English for International/Erasmus students can be arranged with the lecturer.

 

Teaching methods

In addition to the delivery of didactic content in a frontal teaching mode, the course will include the presentation of case studies, interactive lessons characterised by moments of plenary discussion focused on the analysis of the ethnographic materials provided by the lecturer, and small-group activities.

Part of the teaching material presented in class will be shared on the Virtuale platform under the section "non-mandatory ethnographic materials."

Assessment methods

For both attending and non-attending students the exam will consist of a written test made of 3 open-ended questions (two short and a more articulated one) to be completed in one hour. It is not permitted to use the books during the examination. 

The exam aims to assess:

a) the knowledge of the contents of the teaching program, and specifically the theoretical and methodological issues addressed in the books.

b) the ability to re-elaborate, reflectively and critically, the studied topics and to apply the acquired theoretical and methodological knowledge to the analysis of social phenomena such as social distress, marginality/exclusion, and migration.

Specifically, the indicators that will contribute to the assessment are the following:

1. Consistency with the questions asked.
2. Knowledge of the contents.
3. The ability to use anthropological language correctly.
4. Logical consequentiality in articulating answers.
5. The ability of critically reworking the studied contents.

The score is calculated as the weighted average of the results of the three questions and is expressed as a score out of thirty. The weighting of the questions on the final score is as follows: 25% for each short question and 50% for the more articulated one.

• If students show a superficial and confused understanding of the main themes and issues of the course, and/or if they answer with irrelevant notions, they will fail the exam.

• If students show a sufficient understanding of the main topics but with incomplete or superficial answers, results may vary from 18/30 to 24/30.

• If students show an accurate knowledge of the main topics and a discrete understanding of the program, results may vary from 25/30 to 27/30.

• If students show a good knowledge and in-depth understanding of the main themes discussed together with a clear and accurate communication, results will vary from 28 to 30 and exceptionally 30L.

Students will be able to discuss with the lecturer the examination taken during office hours.

In order to be eligible to take the examination, it is necessary to complete the registration process on the Alma Esami portal before the deadline.

Students with DSA or disabilities: it is recommended that they contact the responsible University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, considering the teaching objectives.

In specific cases (e.g. students who attended the course in previous academic years, Erasmus/International students who may request it, etc.), the exam will consist of an oral interview.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations, ethnographic case studies, audio-visual materials, Virtuale platform.

Links to further information

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/francesca.crivellar4/

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Crivellaro